The Darkling Wilderness

A lot has changed since the CIA was founded in 1947. Sweeping advancements in technology, a new and evolving threat landscape, and the nuances of an increasingly globalized world mean that the CIA of today looks remarkably different from the CIA of yesteryear. CIA’s headquarters in Langley, Virginia, was built in 1952, predating the Internet, the personal computer, and yes, even the microwave oven. And while the CIA has evolved tremendously over the years, there are certain elements of our mission that are, for lack of a better word, timeless. In 1951, CIA instructors developed “Introduction to Survival,” a course meant to prepare Agency officers with the skills needed not only to survive—but thrive—in wilderness conditions. Documents declassified in August of 2000 include a nearly 300-page course manual ( https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-03362A000900050001-4.pdf ) that guided students through the core principles of wilderness survival, including parachute jumping, ground...

  In their 1958 book 'On Your Own in the Wilderness', Col. Townsend Whelen and Bradford Angier wrote: "The most practical answer for a multitude of outdoorsmen is the light, high-grade .22-caliber pistol or revolver. It is conveniently and easily carried at all times, even while hunting with the big-game rifle. Besides furnishing you with pot meat, it will account for varmints including poisonous snakes. It can also be used for securing large fish not protected by law. The .22 Long Rifle cartridge, particularly the highspeed type, has excellent killing effect on birds and small animals. The report is not too loud. The ammunition expense is insignificant... If I were selecting a new handgun for pothunting today, however, I believe I would choose one of the lighter autoloading pistols with a 4 1/2-inch barrel, target sights, and a grip with a thumb-rest."  In 2000, George Jasper wrote in 'Six Ways In & Twelve Ways Out' - "The weapon of choice for U.S. R...

  What Are Bands? The most important concept to learn is that of shortwave bands. If you have ever listened to AM or FM radio, then you already know what a band is. The AM band is the frequency range stretching from 530 to 1710 kilohertz; the FM band is 88 to 108 megahertz. A band is simply a frequency range where stations are located. When you look for stations in these "bands", you simply tune around with your tuning buttons (or the tuning knob on an analog radio) until you find a station that you can receive clearly. Shortwave is very similar in concept except that there are multiple shortwave bands named 25 meters, 31 meters, 49 meters, etc. (these are abbreviated as 25m, 31m and 49m respectively). Just like with AM and FM radio, simply dial into a shortwave band and tune around for stations. For example, the 19 meter shortwave band encompasses the frequency range of 15100 to 15600 kilohertz. A helpful analogy may be to think of a shortwave band like a street with a full ...

A list of books for those who love exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest / Cascadia (with links to Amazon). Backyard Bounty - Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition: The Complete Guide to Year-round Gardening in the Pacific Northwest by Linda Gilkeson (Author) https://amzn.to/3Z1C1oS Birds of the Pacific Northwest (A Timber Press Field Guide) by John Shewey (Author), Tim Blount (Author) https://amzn.to/3YZgltE Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry          by C Marie Fuhrman (Editor), Elizabeth Bradfield (Editor) https://amzn.to/4fmkNbo Cascadia Revealed: A Guide to the Plants, Animals, and Geology of the Pacific Northwest Mountains by Daniel Mathews (Author) https://amzn.to/3AD3YtO Cascadia: The Elusive Utopia: Exploring the Spirit of the Pacific Northwest by Douglas Todd (Editor) https://amzn.to/3CjOIlY Cedar: Tree of Life to the Northwest Coast Indians by Hilary Stewart (Author) https://amzn.to/40J00KF DK Eyewitness Pacific Northwest (Dk E...

1. All life is sacred; treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect. 2. Remain close to the Great Spirit. 3. Follow the rhythms of nature. 4. Take from the Earth only what is needed and nothing more. 5. Give assistance and kindness to those in need.  6. Act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason. 7. Do what you know to be right.  8. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word. 9. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.  10. Let your beliefs conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world.  11. Look after the well-being of your Mind and Body. 12. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good. 13. Be truthful and honest at all times. 14. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them. 15. Enjoy life’s journey, but leave no tracks.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perenn...